It wasn’t a victory, but Bridgeport’s wrestling team still made a strong showing in one of the toughest regular season meets in West Virginia this past weekend. The Indians finished in the top half of the field of the annual Winner’s Choice Tournament in Fairmont.

 

The event, which is ran like the State High School Wrestling Tournament, saw the Indians come out of the event in 15^th place. There were 32 teams that participated.

 

Unlike many regular season events, the tournament in Fairmont is bracketed with the top 16 wrestlers in each weight class seeded based on record. Even with that, there were between 25 and 30 wrestlers in most brackets to add to the competition. The state tournament only goes up to 16 total in brackets.

 

The tournament also features a load of the state’s Class AAA programs as well as teams from out of state. It is arguably the most difficult tournament of the year for the Tribe in the regular season.

 

“The Winner's Choice is a very competitive tournament. The team competed,” said Coach Chris Courtney. “I believe the youth of our team plays a role in the mental aspect of a tough tournament. The experience should go a long way in helping us prepare for the rest of the season.”

 

Kavaughn Summers, has looked prepared for most of the season to date, had the same look in the tournament. He finished runner-up in the 220-pound division with a 3-1 record and, according to Courtney, was in position to win the title.

 

“Kavaughn had an excellent tournament. He was a move away from winning the tournament,” said Courtney. “I really admire is resilience and determination. We will sure up a couple techniques and he will be ready to go deep into the state tournament.”

 

Bridgeport had two others place in the tournament. Josh Wojciechowicz at 145 pounds and J.T. Muller at 160 both finished in eighth place. Both finished the tournament with 3-3 records.

 

“J.T. and Josh wrestled a very solid tournament. They were very coachable and wrestled smart matches. Hopefully they take the experience and build on it for the rest of the season,” said Courtney.

 

Three other wrestlers were just one win from getting into the top eight of their respective classes and placing. Those wrestler were Aidan Gibson, Kemo Summers and Benson Bassell all went 2-2 during the event.

 

Bridgeport returns to action starting Friday and continuing Saturday in the Liberty Duals at the Clarksburg Nathan Goff Armory. Wrestling begins at 4 p.m. Friday.

 

“We should get five matches each day. I believe the boys are starting to believe in what we are coaching,” said Courtney. “If they continue to trust our system we should have a good weekend.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Josh Wojciechowicz getting the best of his photos, while Kavaughn Summers wraps up a foe in the second picture. In the third photo, J.T. Muller looks to get the upper hand. Photos here, and in the gallery below, submitted by Jason Wojciechowicz